Rake cleaning tool

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake adapted to move up and down in front of the screen to remove residual dirt therefrom, a movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake and adapted to engage the guide tracks for movement thereon, wherein the guide tracks include ascending and descending guide track portions and the stationary driving element comprises a rack, the movable driving element comprising a driving gear coupled to the rack and a pair of guide rollers, one of the guide rollers being coupled to the driving gear and guiding it in one of the track portions during the upward movement of the rake and in the other of the track portions during the downward movement of the rake, the other of the guide rollers moving in one of the track portions during both of the up and down movements of the rake device, the guide tracks including a reversal portion at both ends thereof whereby a continuous path of movement results for the driving gear.

United States Patent 1 721 Inventors Ignaz Daleruer Karlsruhe, Germany; Maschinenfabrik H. Geiger, Karlsruhe, Germany [211 App]. No. 765,187 [22] Filed Oct. 4, 1968 [45] Patented July 6, 1971 {32] Priority Oct. 6, 1967 [33] Germany [31] P16S8096.4

[54] RAKE CLEANING TOOL 5 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl.... 210/159 [51] Int. Cl B0ld 35/00 [50] Field of Search 210/154, 159, 173; 74/422, 424.6, 170

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,128,347 8/1938 Briggs 210/159 X 3,358,837 12/1967 Tillett et al. 210/159 3,482,698 12/1969 Ostnas 210/159 Primary Examiner-Reuben Friedman Assistant ExaminerT A. Granger AnorneysErnest F Marmorek, Jordan 8 Bierman and Marmorek & Bierman ABSTRACT: A cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake adapted to move up and down in front of the screen to remove residual dirt therefrom, a movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake and adapted to engage the guide tracks for movement thereon, wherein the guide tracks include ascending and descending guide track portions and the stationary driving element comprises a rack, the movable driving element comprising a driving gear coupled to the rack and a pair of guide rollers, one of the guide rollers being coupled to the driving gear and guiding it in one of the track portions during the upward movement of the rake and in the other of the track portions during the downward movement of the rake, the other of the guide rollers moving in one of the track portions during both of the up and down movements of the rake device, the guide tracks including a reversal portion at both ends thereof whereby a continuous path of movement results for the driving gear.

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RAKE CLEANING TOOL The present invention concerns a rake-cleaning tool with up and down moving trashrack cleaners, or the like.

Such rake-cleaning tools have the task of cleaning away the dirt particles which are retained by a rake screening device which is installed in the water, so that the necessary unrestricted passage area on the raking device is maintained intact and the dirt particles are removed from the water. The trashrack cleaners, the comblike instruments or brushes which are necessary for the cleaning processes have to be carried alongside the rake during the uphill movement, whereas they have to be held at some distance from the raking device during the downhill movement.

For a faultless performance of the rake-cleaning tool it is necessary that, even after a longer operational period, which in most cases of application entails great wearand tear, and also in the case of a one-sided loading of the material retained by the rake, the trashrack cleaner or the like is led in such a manner so that it cannot become canted or jammed. In order to fulfill this requirement and for the control of the reversal of the driving direction, it will be necessary, for cost reasons, that the mechanical and electrical constructive measures are simple and economical.

It is accordingly among the principal objects of the invention to provide such a device which fulfills the aforesaid requirements.

The numerous known modes of formation of rake-cleaning tools can mainly be distinguished from each other by the fact that some have a chain drive and others a rope drive.

As far as the chain-driven rake-cleaning tools are con cerned, in one known form the trashrack cleaners, or the like, are directly affixed to the individual chain links. The chain is led along the raking device by means of a stringer, namely in such a manner so that, during the uphill movement, the trashrack cleaners wipe over or rub against said raking device. The disadvantage of this construction lies therein that a portion of the chains has to dip into the water and thereby is exposed to a greater degree of corrosion and wear and tear.

In the case of another chain-driven form, a trashrack cleaner is hinged to a carriage and its movement is therefore the same as that of the carriage. The upper carriage wheels move up and down within a rail; the lower wheels are connected with the revolving chain, and in this manner reach different distances with respect to the rake screening device during ascent and descent.

The advantages of both these forms of execution is the sim ple and interference-free drive which continually rotates in the same direction, whereas the vibrations of the chains and the unavoidable and uneven elongation of the same present the disadvantageous aspect of both these forms of execution. This elongation of the chain can only be absorbed to an extent by chain-tightening devices.

In one rope-driven rake-cleaning tool, the trashrack cleaner is guided by a rail, and switch system. The stationary driving motor acts on two rope drums which are connected with each other and, by means of a limit switch, works to and fro in each instance by a one-half working cycle.

In another rope-driven rake cleaning tool, the carriage moves up and down in a simple straight rail. By means of a third rope, a steering rope, the trashrack cleaner is swung towards the raking device or away from the latter. The adaption to circuit changes of the motor signifies a considerable constructive additional expenditure.

It is therefore another object of the invention to provide such a device that avoids the preceding drawbacks of the prior art.

It is a further object of the invention to unite the motor of the chain-driven rake cleaners with a drive element that is easily adjusted or needs no adjustment at all.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following specification and in part will be In additional modes of execution, said gear rack can be replaced by a component part, around which or in which, a chain is affixed. The driving pinion or the driving pinions will then mesh with the stationary chain;

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of a raking mechanism in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof, partly in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a guiding, and gear-tooth segment in the case of an external pinion and a common guide track from the upper and the lower carriage wheel;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 3, but showing a guiding and gear-tooth segment in the case of an internal pinion and separate guide track from the upper and lower carriage wheel;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to FIG. 3 and 4, but showing a guiding, and gear-tooth segment in the case of an internal pinion and a common guide track from the upper and lower carriage wheel;

FIGS. 6 to 9 are side elevational views of various embodiments of guide tracks;

FIGS. 10 to 12 are large scale fragmentary sectional views of various embodiments of rake screening devices;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a gear rack of the mangle gear type; and

FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a gear-tooth arrangement that includes a chain put around a component part.

In FIG. I, there is shown a rake-screening device 2 which is built into a water-carrying flume, and a rake-cleaning tool. A cleaner carriage 3 and trashrack cleaner 4 are illustrated in two different positions. The path of the trashrack cleaner 4 is indicated by a broken line 5. A closed guide track 6 for a lower carriage wheel 7 and a guide track 8 for an upper carriage wheel 9 partially blend one into the other. At a guide frame 10, a wiping mechanism 11 is affixed, which automatically is thrown into action by the retraction of the trashrack cleaner 4. As seen in FIG. 1 the cleaner 4 describes the path shown by line 5 which consists of an upwardly rising portion during which the tip of the cleaner 4 enters the screening device 2 and lifts the dirt upward along its grid work as seen more clearly in FIG. 2. The cleaner 4 is returned as the lower carriage wheel 7 follows the upper curved end portion of the track 6. The cleaner 4 is lowered to its working position by passing along the descending portion of the path 5 while the carriage wheel 7 is sliding in the left side of the track 6. The cleaner 4 is returned into its screen engaging position again by the carriage wheel 7 moving along the lower curved portion of the track 6. During this movement, the upper carriage wheel 9 remains guided in the left side of the track 6. In other words, it is an apparatus whereby the rake swings from its screen engaging position during its upward travel, to a position removed from its screen engaging position during its downward travel.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the drive is illustrated. It includes a motor 12 and pinions 13 that mesh in both groove sides, respectively, with gear racks 14 during the above-described up and down movement of lower carriage wheel 7. In this case the driving current is supplied from a cable drum 15; in another case said driving current is supplied by means of a cable with mass balance.

FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate the manner in which the pinion 13 meshes with a gear rack 14, when the latter is formed as a mangle gear with bolts 16. As seen from the flume, the lower carriage wheel 7 in FIG. 3 lies in front of the pinion 13, whereas in FIG. 5 it lies behind said pinion 113. Furthermore, the distribution of the guide track 6 and 8 with respect to the upper and lower wheels 9 and 7 is illustrated, respectively, for a common and for a separate guide track arrangement.

ln H68. 6 to 9, additional designs of guide tracks are illustrated, of the type that might be required in certain conditions of installation. The arrangements according to FIGS. 6 and 9 are preferably to be provided for in the case ofa limited installation depth, those according to FIGS. 7 and 8 are preferably to be provided for in the case of a limited installation height.

The rake-cleaning tool of the present invention can be utilized for all imaginable uses. Due to the fact that the carriage 3 is guided in its guide tracks 6, 8 and due to the fact that the drive gear l3, 14 is arranged apart therefrom, any type of curved tracks 5 (see FIG. 1) of the trashrack cleaner 4 can be gained, such as they are necessary, for example, for rakescreening devices of the types illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12. In individual cases, one will change from a gear rack with a mangle gear 14 (see FIG. 13) to another type of gear mechanism. The latter can be formed by two straight gear racks and two half-gear wheels which connect the extremities; in accordance with a modification, said gear track can also be formed by a chain 17 which is laid around a long member 18 (see FIG. 14) or is arranged within such a member.

The advantages which are attained with the present invention are the following: 4

By using gear racks and the like, uneven elongations of the driving members, as they occur when dealing with chains and ropes, are eliminated. Adjusting devices may therefore be dispensed with along with any need to have them checked periodically and maintained. As the distribution of gear racks and pinions remainsunchanged, no cants of the rake cleaning tool can occur.

The driving elements can be exchanged individually and easily. This applies particularly to the bolts 16 of the mangle gear rack 1 5. To the best advantage, the motor l2 can form a constructive unit with the rake-cleaning tool. The customary securing mechanism, through spring pressure connection of the trashrack cleaner 4 and the overload coupling at the motor, can easily be mounted. Last but not least, the steering of the rake-cleaning tool is as simple as it can be imagined, since only one on and off switch, as well as one contact are required for the holding position.

[wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of constructions shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. A cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen means placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake device having rake means thereon and adapted to move up and down in front of said screen means to remove residual dirt therefrom, at least one movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake device and adapted to en gage said guide tracks for movement thereon, at least one stationary driving element associated with said guide tracks, said movable driving element engaging said stationary driving element, and motor means disposed on said rake device for driving said movable driving element whereby said movable driving element operativcly engages said stationary driving element for said up and down movement thereon,

wherein said guide tracks include ascending and descending guide track portions and said stationary driving element comprises rack means, said movable driving element comprising a driving gear coupled to said rack means and a pair of guide roller means, one of said guide roller means being coupled to said driving gear and guiding said gear in one of said track portions during the upward movement of said rake device and in the other of said track portions duringthe downward movement of sa|d rake device, the other of said guide roller means moving in one of said track portions during both of said up and down movements of said rake device, said guide tracks including a reversal portion at both ends thereof whereby a continuous path of movement results for said driving gear.

2. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim l, characterized in that the stationary driving element includes mangle gearing.

3. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and a support member, characterized in that a chain is used as a stationary driving element, said chain being laid around said support member, thereby forming said gear rack.

4. A cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen means placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake device having rake means thereon and adapted to move up and down in front of said screen means to remove residual dirt therefrom, at least one movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake device and adapted to engage said guide tracks for movement thereon, at least one stationary driving element associated with said guide tracks, said movable driving element engaging said stationary driving element, and motor means disposed on said rake device for driving said movable driving element, whereby said movable driving element operatively engages said stationary driving element for said up and down movement thereon, said stationary driving element including a pair of rack means each positioned at one flume side.

5. A rake-cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen means placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake device having rake means thereon and adapted to move up and down in front of said screen means to remove residual dirt therefrom, at least one movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake device and adapted to engage said guide tracks for movement thereon, at least one stationary driving element associated with said guide tracks, said movable driving element engaging said stationary driving element, and motor means disposed on said rake device for driving said movable driving element, whereby said movable driving element operatively engages said stationary driving element for said up and down movement thereon, said guide tracks being supported by walls of said flume above the flume, said guide tracks supporting and guiding said rake device, a carriage for said cleaners including upper and lower carriage wheels, said wheels jointly using a portion of the guide tracks. 

1. A cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen means placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake device having rake means thereon and adapted to move up and down in front of said screen means to remove residual dirt therefrom, at least one movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake device and adapted to engage said guide tracks for movement thereon, at least one stationary driving element associated with said guide tracks, said movable driving element engaging said stationary driving element, and motor means disposed on said rake device for driving said movable driving element whereby said movable driving element operatively engages said stationary driving element for said up and down movement thereon, wherein said guide tracks include ascending and descending guide track portions and said stationary driving element comprises rack means, said movable driving element comprising a driving gear coupled to said rack means and a pair of guide roller means, one of said guide roller means being coupled to said driving gear and guiding said gear in one of said track portions during the upward movement of said rake device and in the other of said track portions during the downward movement of said rake device, the other of said guide roller means moving in one of said track portions during both of said up and down movements of said rake device, said guide tracks including a reversal portion at both ends thereof whereby a continuous path of movement results for said driving gear.
 2. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the stationary driving element includes mangle gearing.
 3. A cleaning apparatus in accordance with claim 1, and a support member, characterized in that a chain is used as a stationary driving element, said chain being laid around said support member, thereby forming said gear rack.
 4. A cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen means placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake device having rake means thereon and adapted to move up and down in front of said screen means to remove residual dirt therefrom, at least one movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake device and adapted to engage said guide tracks for movement thereon, at least one stationary driving element associated with said guide tracks, said movable driving element engaging said stationary driving element, and motor means disposed on said rake device for driving said movable driving element, whereby said movable driving element operatively engages said stationary driving element for said up and down movement thereon, said stationary driving element including a pair of rack means each positioned at one flume side.
 5. A rake-cleaning apparatus for use in connection with a screen means placed in a water-carrying flume comprising guide tracks, at least one rake device having rake means thereon and adapted to move up and down in front of said screen means to remove residual dirt therefrom, at least one movable driving element fixedly coupled to said rake device and adapted to engage said guide tracks for movement thereon, at least one stationary driving element associated with said guide tracks, said movable driving element engaging saiD stationary driving element, and motor means disposed on said rake device for driving said movable driving element, whereby said movable driving element operatively engages said stationary driving element for said up and down movement thereon, said guide tracks being supported by walls of said flume above the flume, said guide tracks supporting and guiding said rake device, a carriage for said cleaners including upper and lower carriage wheels, said wheels jointly using a portion of the guide tracks. 